Used Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate 10-16

What's the used Mercedes-Benz E Class like?

Few cars tick as many boxes as the Mercedes E-Class Estate. Space for five people, their luggage, and more? Check. A seven-seat option? Check. A cosseting interior built so solidly it seems it’ll never fall apart? Check. Lots of equipment, with even more available as an optional extra? Check.

It’s no surprise, then, that the E-Class has become the large estate of choice in recent years. And the version made from 2010-2016 is one of the best regarded in the model’s history.

Granted, with the exception of the blisteringly fast E63 AMG version, the E-Class Estate was never as overtly sporting as some of its rivals and lacked the outright sharpness and involvement of the BMW 5 Series Touring and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. But in terms of practicality it beat them hands down, with a larger boot and that extra row of seats, the latter an option none of its rivals could match.

What was more, it was fantastically smooth to drive. Avoid cars equipped with large wheels, and a 2010-2016 E-Class Estate will waft you from place to place in utmost comfort.

Of course, such impressive credentials don’t come cheap. An E-Class Estate will cost you more to buy than the equivalent Audi A6 Avant, not to mention less prestigious large estate options such as the Skoda Superb and Ford Mondeo.

There are a couple of chinks in its armour, too; while most E-Classes of this generation are paragons of tranquility, the effect is spoiled rather in versions equipped with the 2.1-litre diesel, which generates quite a bit of engine noise. And you might find yourself growing less calm if you have to spend any time operating the central sat-nav and entertainment display, which is convoluted to use.

No car is perfect, of course, but if you’re in the market for a used estate car and you can stretch to a good example, the 2010-2016 Mercedes E-Class Estate should be on your list.